It’s always a pleasure to get some additional insight into the game from a scout -- they offer a perspective on life in the NFL that we rarely see. With that in mind, we asked an NFC scout who watched plenty of Patriots’ games this year about three points of emphasis for New England heading into the offseason. Fundamentally, if they were in charge of running things at Gillette Stadium, what direction would you go? As is the case with our weekly “scout’s take,” we have the scout’s statements in italics and our notes underneath:

“Wide receiver: The Patriots need to add a vertical speed player with some size to the offense. Rob Gronkowski stretches the seams, and they are efficient running the ball, as well as with their horizontal passing attack. People try to get hands on their hands on wide receivers, and bracket inside options. If Gronk and Hernandez are on the field at the same time, they put stress on the defense -- but not as much vertically. The Patriots do have fast wide receivers, but they are small, and require Brady to be more accurate on his deeper throws. And because of their size, they aren’t consistent vertical threats. What they need is a wide receiver who is a vertical threat, but is also big enough to be physical in press coverage.”

The Patriots enter an offseason of uncertainty at the wide receiver position. As it stands right now, the only receivers under contract for 2013 and going forward are Brandon Lloyd, Kamar Aiken and Matt Slater -- that figures to change between now and the start of training camp. Regardless of what happens with veterans Wes Welker and Deion Branch, it was clear that the Patriots were left thinner than they’d like to be when it came to pass catchers when tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez struggled with injury over the course of the 2012 season. Even though New England will be adding tight end Jake Ballard to the mix in 2013, they still need to build their depth at wide receiver, and there’s a belief they need to get a bigger, more physical wide receiver. History tells us they’d be more inclined to do that via free agency (the Patriots have had major problems developing wide receivers for the last decade). For a complete list of free agent wide receivers -- a group that includes bigger pass catchers like Dwayne Bowe and Greg Jennings -- check out this list, compiled by the fellas at Rotoworld.

“Secondary: They need a play-making, rangy deep safety that can also play in the box. Steve Gregory was admirable, but not a playmaker, and can be mismatched in certain situations. Devin McCourty has range and some instincts, but lacks some size. They need someone to complement McCourty. Patrick Chung is good player, but injuries are somewhat of a concern because of his style of play and size.”

When it comes to safety play -- specifically, physical safety play -- I defer to my man Rodney Harrison, who told Pro Football Talk Live last week the Patriots “need an enforcer at the safety position. The tight ends and wide receivers running across the middle, they’re not afraid of getting hit. They need someone like a [Bernard] Pollard to really make a statement, set the tone, and really make them fear coming across the middle. They don’t have that.” While Pollard isn’t great when it comes to coverage -- going back and watching film in him, he swings and missed almost as often as he gets his hits -- his point is well taken. New England has a nasty, physical tone-setter on its front line in Vince Wilfork and one at linebacker in Brandon Spikes. While Chung has shown flashes of that from time to time, it appears unlikely he’ll be signed past this season. If you are looking for free agent possibilities at the safety position, here’s the list -- again, courtesy of our friends at Rotoworld.

“Pass rusher: They need someone to create some edge or interior pressure that can win one-on-one battles. They do a good job with scheme to force turnovers and have some sound schemes, but teams win championships when players win one-on-one matchups within the scheme. Chandler Jones is a player and will be better with another year, but needs some help. Vince Wilfork is still dominant inside, but could use some help and quickness on the inside.”

It’s been a constant theme around Foxboro, and one we’ve heard from all kinds of smart people over the years, including Bill Parcells and Greg Cosell: the Patriots need more help when it comes to getting after the passer. While the addition of Jones was a big boost for the first half of the season and Rob Ninkovich continued to work as one of the most underrated defenders in the game, New England could still use some help. The Patriots have signed two of the better young pass rushers in the CFL over the last week -- in a perfect world, former USC standout Armond Armstead gives them an interior pass rushing presence, something they haven’t had since Mike Wright left the game and they didn’t get as a result of the Jonathan Fanene Experiment of last summer. But it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them kick the tires on a prospect or two in free agency, as well as add someone via the draft.